During a Wednesday budget meeting, Hammond, while attempting to paint a rosy picture of British economic health, let it slip that things aren't as well as they have been in the past, particularly as the UK is now behind France in global economic standing.
The countries that now lead the global financial list are (in order) the US, China, Japan, Germany and France. Britannia now trails behind almost all of its former foes.
But the UK chancellor remained upbeat in the face of a darkening economic outlook brought about, in part, by the upcoming Brexit.
"London is the number one international financial services center," Hammond asserted, adding, "We have some of the world's best companies."
The UK politician also suggested that Britain enjoys a "commanding position in a raft of tech and digital industries that will form the backbone of the global economy of the future."
"Those who underestimate Britain, do so at their peril," he declared, cited by The Independent.
But, as productivity and growth forecasts in England and its satellite states have been slashed, Hammond admitted that, as of now, "Britain is the world's sixth largest economy."
